Everything You Need to Know About Ozempic

Dangers of Ozempic with Eating Disorders

People are always looking up quick, easy ways to lose weight. One popular solution to weight loss is misusing appetite suppressants, known as weight loss pills. However, people are beginning to use diabetic medications for weight loss when they are not even diabetic. A diabetic medication that has been buzzing around the Internet lately is called Ozempic. 

What is Ozempic?

A class of medications called GLP-1 agonists to treat Type 2 Diabetes that helps regulate blood sugar levels in the body. In addition, weight loss can happen when using this medication. 

Other diabetic medications used for weight loss and how they work

Semaglutide (GLP-1 agonist)

• Wegovy (brand-name approved by FDA for weight loss)

• Ozempic

Wegovy and Ozempic imitates hormones called incretins. They control the amount of sugar the liver makes and slows down the stomach so people feel fuller longer. 

Tirzepatide

• Mounjaro (brand-name approved by FDA for treating type 2 diabetes, but not for weight loss)

Mounjaro activates two receptors that stimulate the hormones that control blood sugar levels and suppress appetite.

Eating Disorders

Semaglutide has been advertised all over social media and television, feeding into the idea that people can achieve an ideal body image through weight loss on these drugs. For eating disorders, weight loss products or medications that are promoted repeatedly encourages the individual to try and misuse it. When appetite suppressants are taken consistently for a long period of time, then suddenly comes to an end, most people will experience weight gain and sometimes more weight gain than they lost. Depending on the kind of medication, some are only meant to be taken for a short period of time while some are meant to be taken for years. This is where weight cycling can occur, also known as the Yo-Yo Effect. Weight cycling is a term used for when someone loses weight then regains it again. This can lead to negative self-image, low self-esteem, depression, and an increased risk of disordered eating, possibly leading to an eating disorder. 

Side Effects:

• GI issues (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting)

• Constipation

• GERD

• Stomach pain

• Fatigue

• Heartburn

• Headache

• Vision problems

• Swelling

• Dizziness or fainting

• Rapid heart rate

• Jaundice

How to cope with triggers:

1. Unfollow accounts on social media and muting specific words (“Ozempic”, “weight-loss”, “skinny”, etc,)

1. Stress management tools

• Meditation

• Aromatherapy

• Yoga

• Taking deep breaths

• Art/creativity

• Mindful movement 

1. Support

• Reach out to family and/or friends

• Find eating disorder dietitian and therapist

• Eating disorder support group (in-person or social media)

Is it Possible?: Treating an Eating Disorder with Diabetic Medications

In some cases, there is research coming out for certain circumstances. There are appropriate uses for this type of medication to help with bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. According to Michael Lutter, there are “novel and ultra-rare damaging genetic variants that contribute to the risk of developing an eating disorder”, commonly found in bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder patients.

“In 2017 we identified that mutations in the gene glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) were seen in patients with bulimia nervosa. GLP-1 is a satiety factor that helps people feel full and stop eating during a meal, so we hypothesized that his lack of satiety contributes to the binge eating behaviors in patients with bulimia. The exciting thing for patients with mutations in the GLP-system is that there are FDA-approved medications on the market that mimic the effect of GLP-1. I theorized that these medications may be able to compensate for the low levels of GLP-1 found in these patients, so I offered it as a treatment option to several patients who had failed traditional treatment options and saw excellent results”. (From Gifted: Genetic Information for Treating Eating Disorder by Michael Lutter, PHD, MD.)
Link to purchase book and learn more: https://www.amazon.com/Gifted-Genetic-Information-Treating-Disorders/dp/B0BYXTJGL5

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Everything You Need to Know About Ozempic - Dallas Nutritional Counseling